Effect of surface physics of metal oxides on the ability to form metallic nanowires

Through the control of surface physics of oxide films, nanowires of various metals can be readily grown on the surface of oxide films without templates and surfactants. To clarify how the characteristics of oxides affect the formation of metallic nanowires, this report investigated the influence of the surface physical characteristics, including morphological, electrical, optical and hydrophilic properties of the metal oxide substrates (TiO2, CeO2, and indium tin oxide), on the yield of Ag and Pt nanowires. In addition to the surface roughness, photo-induced defects were suggested to be the key factor dominating the number of nucleation sites and thus the population of nanowires.